Building big ideas at Lugarno Public School

Bolstoring creativity through an enrichment program

At Lugarno Public School, technology and creativity go hand in hand. The metropolitan primary school in the Georges River network has made STEM a key part of its learning culture, embedding digital tools and problem-solving across every classroom. The school’s approach ensures that technology is not an add-on but a powerful enabler, one that helps students learn, think and connect. 

One of the standout initiatives at Lugarno PS has been an enrichment program where students were tasked with designing and building their own amusement park ride. Working collaboratively, they researched, planned and coded their designs to bring their ideas to life. This project integrated a wide range of skills, from creative design to engineering principles, while encouraging problem-solving and persistence. Teachers observed that the process brought out the best in students’ critical and creative thinking as they learned to tackle challenges, adapt designs and present their work with confidence.

Through this experience, students also demonstrated strong teamwork and leadership skills. Teachers noted how students supported one another, listened to their peers and valued different perspectives. This approach fostered an authentic sense of collaboration and ownership. The Team shared that students “demonstrated leadership and effective teamwork by actively listening to their partners, valuing each other’s ideas and working together to reach the best outcomes". 

At the conclusion of the project, students proudly presented their amusement park rides to their families in a special showcase event. This culminating event gave participants a tangible sense of achievement, as they explained their ideas, the obstacles they faced, and how they overcame them. The Lugarno team shared that “this experience gave the students a strong sense of pride and achievement in the impressive projects they created". 

The showcase also became a celebration for the wider community. All classes at Lugarno Public School were invited to visit the exhibition, explore the rides and learn from their peers. The school also welcomed Dale White, Digital Learning Advisor, who had supported the students earlier in the program. His return visit allowed him to see the final results firsthand. This inclusive approach helped strengthen the loop between students, staff, and the community, reinforcing that STEM learning thrives when it’s shared.

The impact of the enrichment program has been significant. Students have built essential skills in digital literacy, creativity, and problem-solving, while teachers observed improvements in confidence, resilience, and communication. The school’s commitment to sharing work with families helped nurture stronger connections between home and school. 

For other schools considering a similar approach, Lugarno’s message is encouraging. “We strongly encourage other schools to use the STEM T4L kits and Department resources to support enrichment programs", staff advised. These kits, they noted, come with lesson plans, a resource library, and the chance to collaborate with a Digital Learning Advisor. Lugarno has already used the stem.T4L film kit, VR kit, and 3D printing kit, and plans to expand its offerings with Podcasting and Aeroponics kits in future semesters. Through this ongoing commitment to creativity and innovation, Lugarno Public School continues to empower students to explore, design and dream big.